Car-coupling.



No. 802,509. PATENTED OUT. 24, 1905.

G. A.x HERMANSON.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1905.

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PATENTED OOT. 24, 1905.

G. A. HERMANSON.

OAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1,1005.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

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fl r V GUSTAF A. HERMANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO JAMESMUNTON, OF MAYWOOD, ILLINOIS.

CAR-"COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, loot.

Application filed July 1, 1905. Serial No. 267,928.

To (Li/7, whom, it War/Ly concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAF A. HERMANsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,haveinvented a new and useful Improvementin Oar-Couplers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic carcouplers for railway-cars.

The object of my invention is to provide a car-coupler of the Master(Jar-Builders type or having a fork draw head, a pivoted knuckle, and agravity-lock, which will be of a simple, eflicient, and durableconstruction, in which the lock may be set in position for coupling anduncoupling the cars,and in which the knuckle may be automatically thrownopen when the lock is raised to the required position and the carsseparated. My invention consists in the means I employ to practicallyaccomplish this object or result, as herein shown and dcscribedthat isto say, it consists, in connection with the fork draw-head, pivotedknuckle, and gravity-lock, of a lifting-piece connected with andengaging the lock to raise the same and provided with a shoulder adaptedto engage the knuckle-thrower and a knuckle-thrower having an armadapted to be engaged by the lifting-piece, and provided with a bent armor foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when thelock is lifted to the required extent.

It further consists, in connection with these parts, in providing thetail or rear arm of the knuckle with a stop projection on its lower faceand the draw-head with a cooperating stop on its inner face to limit theoutward or opening movement of the knuckle.

It further consists, in connection with these parts, in providing thefork draw-head with upper and lower pivot arms or lugs and the pivotalor swinging knuckle with an integral pivot-cap fitting over the upperpivot arm or lug of the draw-h sad, the knuckle and the pivot lugs orarms of the draw-head having a pair of inter-engaging pivot studs andsockets and the gravity-lock and draw-head having lockset projectionsadapted to engage each other for setting the lock in position foruncoupling.

My invention further consists in the novel construction of parts anddevices and in the novel combinations of parts and devices herein shown'and described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a carcouplerembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lock andits lifting-piece in its raised position. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectionon the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a detail horizontal sectionof the draw-head. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig.6 is a detail top or plan view of the draw-head and knuckle. Fig. 7 is arear elevation of the knuckle. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig.7, and Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the knuckle-thrower. Fig.10 is a detail front view of the liftingpiece; Fig. 11, a detail frontview of the lock, and Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section showingthe lock in its lock-set position.

In the drawings, A represents the drawhead of the ordinary MasterCar-Builders coupler, the same having the customary guard-arm A andupper and lower pivot arms or lugs A A B is the knuckle.

D is avertically-movablelocking-pin, Fthe lifting-piece for the lock,and G the knucklethrower.

' The knuckle B may be pivotally connected to the draw-head in anysuitable manner. As illustrated in the drawings, however, instead ofemployingaseparate pivot-pin the knuckle is illustrated as beingprovided with an integral pivot-cap B which fits over the upper pivotarm or lug A of the draw-head, and the knuckle and draw-head areprovided with interengaging integral pivot-studs O O and. sockets C UThe lower pivot-stud C is preferably formed on or made integral with theknuckle, and the lower pivot-socket O is formed on the lower pivot armor lug A of the draw-head, while the upperpivot-stud C is formedintegral with the upper pivot arm or lug A of the draw-head, while theupper pivot-socket O is formed in the pivot-cap B of the knuckle, whichfits above the upper pivot-arm A of the draw-head. This is theconstruction which I prefer to employ for pivotally connecting theknuckle with the draw-head. The bottom web or floor a of the draw-headis furnished with a lock-set seat a to receive the lock-set ledge orshoulder (Z on the lock-set leg d of the lock D, the lock-set legprojecting downwardly from the lower end of the look as an integralextension thereof, and the lock-set leg (Z' is provided with an incline(Z to engage the wall of the opening a in the lower web or floor a ofthe draw-head, and thus aid in moving or swinging the lower end of thelook forward into position for engagement of its lock-set shoulder (Zwith the lock-set seat a on the draw-head.

The knuckle B has the customary front arm or nose 6 and inner arm ortail 5 which is provided with a safety hook or projection 6 adapted toengage and cooperate with the hook or projection (6 on the draw-head toin part relieve the pivot-pin from strain when the knuckle is closed andto hold the knuckle in its closed position in case the pivotalconnection of the knuckle with the draw-head should break or becomedisengaged. The knuckle B is further provided with an inclined groove orguide I) on the under side of its tail to adapt the same to properlycooperate with the knuckle-thrower G. The tail of the knuckle is furtherprovided with a stop projection 6", which fits in a groove a in thebottom web or floor of the draw-head and engages a stop or shoulder (aon the draw-head to limit the outward or opening movement of theknuckle. The bottom web or fioor of the draw-head is further providedwith a shoulder or projection (0 adapted to engage a stop or shoulder Z2on the rear arm or tail of the knuckle to limit the closing movement ofthe knuckle and receive a portion of the bufling strain communicated tothe d raw-head through the knuckle, and thus in part relieve thepivotarm of the draw-head from buffing strain.

The lifting-piece has a sliding connection with the gravity-lock D, thesame consisting, preferably, of a slot d" in the lock and the projectionor lug f on the lifting-piece. The lug or projection f on thelifting-piece has an inclined or taper facef, engaging a similar inclineor taper face Won the lock, which serves to cause the upper end of thelock to be moved or tilted forward and its rear end backward when thelifting-piece begins to raise the lock, and thus disengage thelocking-shoulder do from the lower horizontal Web or floor a of thedraw-head, and therebyfacilitate the lifting of the look by thelifting-piece. The locking-shoulder (Z on the lock serves to preventjumping or creeping of the lock, and thus the accidental uncoupling ofthe cars while the train is in motion, and prevents the look from beingraised except by and through the lifting-piece F. The slidinglifting-piece F extends at its lower portion through the opening (0 inthe lower web or floor of the drav -head and alongside the lock andoperates to hold or keep the locking-shoulder (Z normally in engagementwith the lower web of the drawhead, and thus prevent the look frommoving upward except when itis lifted bythe liftingpiece. To permit thelock D to be tilted forward at its upper end and backward at its lowerend to disengage its locking-shoulder (Z from the draw-head by action ofthe inclines f and (Z as above described, the lock is furnished with aninclined or tapering front face d at its upper portion. The lower end ofthe lifting-piece F is furnished with a tapering or bevel face f 2 tofacilitate its entrance into the passage-way or opening a and for thesame purpose the draw-head is furnished with an inclined or taperingprojection or wall (1, to aid in guiding the lower end of thelifting-piece into the opening (6 The liftingpiece F is provided with anenlargement f" at its upper end to fill the lock passage-way a in theupper portion of the draw-head and with the customary flange or shoulderf to cover or close the lock passage-way a in the draw-head. To enablethe lifting-piece and lock to be properly lifted by a backward strain onthe lifting-piece through the lifting-lever H and connecting-chain h, asoccurs when the draft-rigging of a coupler gives way, and thus enablethe cars to be uncoupled, and thereby prevent the coupler draw-bar frombeing entirely drawn out of the car and dropped upon the track, thedraw-head is furnished with an upward incline or tapering face a Thisinsures the proper uncoupling of the cars in case the draft-rigging ofone coupler gives way and causes the displaced coupler to be sup portedby the lifting-lever H and chain 7L, and thus prevents derailment oraccidents arising from the dropping of a disabled coupler on the track.The lock D is provided at its lower portion with a shoulder (Z adaptedto rest upon the tail of the knuckle and support the lock in positionfor coupling. This lock-set shoulder (Z enables the lock to be raisedinto position, so that the knuckle can close when the cars aresubsequently brought together. The lifting-piece F is further providedwith a ledge or shoulder adapted to engage an arm or projection g on theknuckle-thrower Gr. The knuckle-thrower G has a bent arm or shoulder gat its middle portion adapted to engage a shoulder a on the draw-head,when the lifting-piece F is raised to the required extent and the lock Blifted sufi iciently to enable the knuckle to open, and thus cause theknuckle-thrower G to be tilted by its further upward movement with theliftingpiece. The knuckle-thrower G has a bent arm or foot g at itslower portion, preferably extending substantially horizontal andnormally resting in a longitudinal recess or channel a in the bottom webor floor a of the drawhead and which is provided to receive this bentarm or foot of the knuckle-thrower. The bent arm or foot 9 of theknuckle-thrower projects under the tail or rear arm of the knuckle andis provided with an upwardlyprojecting toe 9 having an inclined or rounded upper face 1*, and which toe is adapted to fit in and engage theinclined curve or way 6*, formed in the lower face of the tail 6 of theknuckle B, adjacent to the safety-hook W thereon. As the lower bent armor foot 7 and toe of the lmi'lckle-thrower [its under or embraces thetail of the knuckle and the safety-hook or projection 6 thereon, thelmuckle-thrower itself prevents the liftingpiece F and the lock D frombeing raised too high or entirely removed from the draw'head. The pivotarm or lug r of the knuckle-thrower is provided with an inclined ortapering inner face which enables the lifting-piece to tilt backward andfacilitate the uncoupling of the cars in case the coupler of one cargives way, and thus prevents the disabled coupler from being entirelydrawn out and dropped upon the track. The wedge-like extension at theupper end of the lmuckle-thrower also tends to cause the lifting-pieceto tilt the lniuckle-thrower forward at its lower end, and thus throwthe knuckle open. The drawhead is provided with an inclined ledge a toengage the bent arm or shoulder of the knucklethrower and furtherfacilitate the tilting of the knuckle-thrower and the proper cooperativeaction of the parts. The knucklethrower (jr fits alongside thelifting-piece and lock in the opening or passage-way in the draw-headfor the lock and lifting-piece.

In operation when the lifting-piece is lifted by the operating-lever Hand chain 5 to uncouple the ears the first upward movement of thelifting-piece withdraws its lower end from engagement with the bottomweb or floor of the draw-head and brings the inclined face of itslifting-lock into engagement with the inclined face of the lock, andthus causes the upper end of the lock to tilt forward and its lower endto tilt backward, thereby disengaging the locking-shoulder d of the lockfrom the lower web of the draw-head, and thereby enabling the lock to belifted to uncoupling position by the further upward movement of thelifting-piece. The further upward movement of the liftingpiece causesthe shoulder or projection f thereon to engage the arm or lug g on theknuckle-thrower, and thus causes the knucklethrower to be tilted byreason of its middle arm or projection g engaging the shoulder on thedraw-head, and thereby causing the knuckle to be thrown open by thelower bent arm or foot and toe of the knuckle-thrower, which engages thetail of the knuckle. 1f the two cars to be uncoupled remain closetogether, so that the knuckle cannot be thrown open, the lock whenraised by the lifting-piece to its unlocking position will be tiltedforward at its lower end by the lifting-piece and its lock-set ledge orshoulder thus thrown into position for engagement with the lock-set seaton the floor or bottom web of the draw-head, thus supporting the lock inposition for uncoupling of the cars when they subsequently separate. Ifwhen the lock is lifted the knuckle is thrown open by theknuckle-thrower or by the separation of the cars, the lock will besupported in its raised position by engagement of its lock-set shouldera? on the tail of the knuckle, the lock being thus supported in positionfor coupling.

I claim- 1. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, ofa knuckle having a tail or rear arm furnished with a groove in its lowerface, of a vertically-movable gravity-lock, having a lock-set ledge orshoulder, a liftingpiece having a sliding connection with the lock andprovided with a shoulder adapted to engage a knucklethrower, and aknucklethrower fitting in the opening or passage-way of the draw-headalongside the lifting-piece and lock, and provided with an arm engagingsaid shoulder on the lifting-piece, and furnished with a bent arm orprojection adapted to engage a shoulder on the drawhead, and a bent armor foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when thelock is lifted to the required extent, the tail of the knuckle having astop or shoulder engaging a stop or shoulder on the bottom web or floorof the draw-head to limit the outward movement of the knuckle, saidbottom web or floor of the draw-head being also provided with a stop orshoulder engaging the tail of the knuckle to limit the inward movementof the knuckle, substantially as specified.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of aknuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having ashoulder to engage a knuckle-thrower, a knuckle-thrower fitting in theopening or passageway of the draw-head alongside the lock andlifting-piece and having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulderengaging the drawhead and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of theknuckle to throw the same open when the lock is raised by thelifting-piece to the required extent, substantially as specified.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of aknuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having aslidable connection with the lock and a shoulder to engage aknuckle-tlnower, a knucklethrower fitting in theopening or passage-wayof the draw-head alongside the lifting-piece and having an arm adaptedto be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with abent arm or projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head, and a bentarm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open whenthe lock is lifted, substantially as specified.

4. In a car-coupler, the combination with the draw-head, knuckle,gravity-lock and lifting-piece, of a knuckle-thrower, having an armengaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the d raw-head, and abent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle, substantially asspecified.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination with the draw head, knuckle,gravity-lock, and lifting-piece, of a knuckle-thrower having an armengaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head, and abent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle, the tail of theknuckle being furnished with a groove and the bent arm or foot of theknucklethrower having a toe fitting in the groove on the knuckle-tail,substantially as specified.

6. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, agravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage aknuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engagedby said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projectionengaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging thetail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted tothe required extent, substantially as specified.

7. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, agravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage aknuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engagedby said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projectionengaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging thetail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted tothe required extent, said shoulder on the drawhead having an inclinedface to engage the knuckle-thrower, substantially as specified.

8. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, agravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage aknuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engagedby said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projectionengaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging thetail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted tothe required extent, said arm on the knucklethrower engaging saidlifting-piece having an inclined or Wedge-shaped upward extension toenable the lifting-piece to tilt backward at its upper end,substantially as specified.

9. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, agravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage aknuckle -thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to beengaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with aprojection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or footengaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock islifted to the required extent, said lock having a lock-set leg at itslower end furnished with a lock-set ledge engaging a lock-set seat onthe drawhead, substantially as specified.

10. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle,a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage aknuckle-thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engagedby said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projectionengaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging thetail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted tothe required extent, said lock having a lock-set shoulder adapted toenga e and rest plpon the knuckle-tail, substantialIy as speci- 11. In acar-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, averticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a slidableconnection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder to engage aknucklethrower, and a knuoklethrower having an arm engaging thelifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or footengaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, substantially asspecified.

12. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of aknuckle, -a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having aslidable connection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder toengage a knucklethrower, and a knuckle-thrower having an arm engagingthe liftingpiece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or footengaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, said lock having alock-set ledge engaging the draw-head, substantially as specified.

13. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of aknuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having aslidable connection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder toengage aknucklethrower, and a knuckle-thrower having an arm engaging thelifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or footengaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, the tail of theknuckle being provided with a groove thereon, and said lower arm or footof the knuckle-thrower having a toe fitting in the said groove in theknuckle-tail, substantially as specified.

14. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of aknuckle, a vertically-movable gravity-lock, a lifting -piece having ashoulder adapted to engage a knuckle-thrower, and a knuckle-throwerhaving an arm adapted to be engaged by the liftingpiece, and providedwith a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw thesame open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, substantiallyas specified.

GUSTAF A. HERMANSON.

Witnesses H. M. MUNDAY, -EDMUND Ancocx.

